Turkish citizens can apply to enter or stay in the United Kingdom if they want to establish themselves in business, and the residency rights of Turkish workers who are already in the UK.
Establishing yourself in Business as a Turkish Citizen
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If you are a Turkish citizen and you want to establish yourself in business in the United Kingdom, you can apply to come to or remain there in the Turkish ECAA business category. UKBA will consider your application under the business provisions that were in force in 1973.
However, you cannot benefit from the ECAA if you have breached United Kingdom immigration law in order to be able to apply to establish yourself in business there. If this is the case, you will need to meet the requirements of the current immigration rules – this means that you will need to apply as an entrepreneur under Tier 1 of the points-based system.
Turkish Citizens who are already working Legally in the UK
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If you are a Turkish citizen who is legally employed in the United Kingdom because you have a visa that gives you permission to work, a decision by the Association Council of the ECAA has given you certain rights. You may:
-Apply for further permission to stay in the United Kingdom after you have worked there for one year, so that you can continue to work for the same employer (if a job is available);
-Change employers after you have been working in the UK for three years, if you are continuing to work in the same occupation; and
-Work in any type of job for any employer after you have been working in the UK for four years.
If your application is successful, UKBA will give you permission to stay as a Turkish ECAA worker.
You cannot benefit from the ECAA if you have breached United Kingdom immigration law in order to be able to work. If this is the case, you will need to meet the requirements of the current immigration rules – this means that you will need to apply for permission to stay and work in the UK under Tier 2 of the points-based system.
